AFMS - Armed Forces Medical Sciences

The Armed Force Medical Services (AFMS) comes under Ministry of Defense and the Director General-AFMS is the top authority who performs certain roles and responsibilities as laid down by the Govt. of India. The post of Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) was created in August 1948.

The role of DGAFMSs such that he on one hand is directly responsible to the Ministry of Defence for a broad spectrum of duties and responsibilities as laid down in the Charter of Duties of DGAFMS in the Regulations for Medical Services of the Armed Forces 1983, while on the other, he functions through the Chief of Staff Committee (COSC) as Chairman of Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC).

The Dte Gen of Armed Forces Medical Services deals with recruitment of civilian doctors. The section also deals with commissioning of AFMC cadets in Armed Forces Medical Services as Permanent as well as Short Service Commissioned officers apart from grant of Permanent Commission to serving Short Service Commissioned Officers. It also deals with grant of SSC/PC in AMC (NT) to serving JCOs/ORs of AMC.

AFMS Eligibility Criteria

AFMS invites application from civil doctors who have passed their final MBBS examination in first or second attempt and completed internship for grant of Short Service Commission in the Army Medical Corps. Applicants who have taken more than two chances in final MBBS are not eligible. Limited vacancies are available for Lady MOs.

Qualification: The applicant must possess medical qualification included in First/Second Schedule or Part II of the Third Schedule of IMC Act 1958. The applicant must have permanent registration from any State Medical Council/MCI.

Age Limit: The candidate must not have attained 45 years of age on 31st December of the year of application.Selection Procedure: Eligible candidates are called for interview during Sept / Oct by a Board of Officers at the Office of DGAFMS, Ministry of Defence, 'M' Block, New Delhi to assess the suitability and merit for grant of Short Service Commission in the Army Medical Corps. The candidates appearing for interview for the first time are paid to and fro second-class railway/bus fare.

AFMS Career Prospects

Armed Forces Medical officers can be employed as per service requirement in any part of country, in Army, Navy or Air Force. They may have to work independently in the units allotted to them & shall also have to take decisions on their own in critical situations.

Departmental Permanent Commission to Serving AMC/SSC Officers

Twice a year applications are called from serving SSC medical officers who have completed minimum two years and not more than 08 years of service if serving in extended tenure. The officers are interviewed by a Board of officers Chaired by DGAFMS and based on their performance in interview and service records they are granted PC limited to the vacancies available.

Commissioning of AFMC Graduates in AMC as SSC/PC Officers

Every year fifty percent AFMC Pune cadets are granted PC and remaining fifty percent are granted SSC based on their merit and choice. They are commissioned in the rank of Lt. and equivalent and posted in various service hospitals for internship training. On completion of internship they are promoted to the rank of Captain or equivalent and posted to various Units for duty.Commissioning of serving JCO/OR IN AMC (NT) as SSC/PC Officer

Once a year, JCO/OR is examined through a written test at AMC Centre & School before an SSB interview at various centers for grant of PC in AMC (NT). JCO/OR applying only for SSC is examined only through an SSB interview.

AFMS Pay Package

Emoluments: Doctors on commissioning in the AMC are granted the rank of Captain (or equivalent rank in Navy/Air Force) in the scale of Rs.9450-9600-300-11400 plus rank pay Rs.400/-, Non-practising allowance at the rate of 25% of the Basic Pay and Dearness Allowance (total emolument at minimum of Pay Scale (Rs.20,860/- pm.).

In addition, they are entitled to free ration, subsidized accommodation and allied facilities shall be provided. PG degree holder are eligible for PG allowance of Rs 500/- p.m. or specialist pay after undergoing the laid down procedure.

Promotion: SSC officers are eligible for promotion upto the rank of Major. A candidate who holds additional qualification of Post-Graduate Degree/Diploma is given antedate of seniority for three/two years respectively as per rules.

Tenure: The SSC tenure is of 5 years extendable by another 5 years, (total SSC tenure 10 years) for those who are willing to continue subject to laid down eligibility criteria. However, on completion of 2 years service as SSC officer, they are eligible to apply for limited vacancies for Departmental Permanent Commission provided they had not attained the age of 30 years on 31 Dec of the year of application (31 & 35 years for Post Graduate diploma and degree holders respectively).

Selection of officers from SSC to Permanent Commission is decided by a Selection Board held in the office of DGAFMS; Ministry of Defence. Permanent Commissioned officers are eligible for time scale promotion up to the rank of Lt Col and thereafter by selection up to the rank of Lt General.

The candidates should be in good physical & mental state, not obese / over weight and meet laid down standards for medical fitness to perform military duties in peace as well as field areas including remote & high altitudes with extreme climate conditions.

Every candidate on his / her having been qualified in interview will be produced before a duly constituted Med Board by DGAFMS for examining his or her medical fitness.